The stunning world of private jet travel

No queues. No waiting. No taking off your shoes for security. Take-off when you want, arrive when you want. Yes, private jet travel is the answer to some seriously first world problems.

But you still want to try it, right? You're not alone.

Corporations already understand the upside to private jet travel and make up the majority of private jet use. However according to PrivateFly, the personal use market has increased from 9 per cent in 2008 to 22 per cent in 2013.

They should know. PrivateFly was the first to offer a one-stop online shop to peruse, compare and book one of over 2500 aircraft from private jet companies registered with the company around the world.

Factor in private jet fractional ownership, timeshare and charter companies akin to Netjets, MJets and Execujet plus JetSuite (who offer "empty leg" sales daily via social media) and private jets are now more accessible to the average Joe. So long as Joe has the cash.

It's rare air

Even Emirates, Qatar and Lufthansa have embraced the private jet industry with an executive jet arm for each of the airlines. Emirates' Airbus A319 private jet features private suites and a spa, and can also be transformed into a business centre for conference calls and presentations.

Sure, all that leather, personal service and pressurised cabin oxygen just for you and your chosen few makes time in the air far more relaxing. But travelling in such rare air means the service starts long before you take off.

Major international airports are investing in private jet terminals so the uber-wealthy don’t need to mingle with the minions in commercial. For corporations wanting face-to-face meetings or the transfer of private documents, this makes sense.

Fly your private plane into the destination of choice, make use of the private terminal meeting rooms to meet your local team and then fly out. Jetlag avoided.

Luggage is collected on the footpath, check-in and security is done in your private lounge, and boarding is via a private tarmac, hangar or chauffeur-driven car to the boarding stairs.

From the tarmac to your door

Cannes predictably has its own private terminal: the Cannes Mandelieu Airport is solely for private jet charter flights in the south of France. Stansted, outside of London, has the Inflite Private Jet Terminal, and Queenstown in New Zealand recently opened Queenstown Corporate Jets Service with a dedicated tarmac-side terminal.

Paris Le Bourget is home to eight private jet lounge terminals including Advanced Air Support, which offers a 24-hour prayer room, snooze rooms, meeting rooms and luxe bath, and Unijet, which offers an open air terrace with stunning views of the tarmac.

The Summum Private Jet Lounge at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport opened in 2012 and is rented exclusively for absolute premium privacy and service, offering the ability to park your jet right outside the door.

The two Michelin star restaurant De Bokkedoorns takes care of the food, there’s a cigar bar, two stunning boardrooms and a lounge. The Lounge was designed by prestige Amsterdam design group FG Stijl, which even designed stools to keep expensive handbags off the impressive hand-woven world map carpet.

Not to be outdone, Google has had plans approved for its own private terminal at Mineta San Jose International Airport for executive private jets. A 29-acre, $82 million development featuring seven hangars has been given the tick of approval with a 50-year lease. Only five of the seven will exclusively house Google aircraft.

In Australia, Melbourne looks set to have its own VIP terminal. Little Aviation has bought a 20-hectare site at John Holland Aviation Services at Melbourne Airport, and it's believed a VIP terminal may open by mid-2015. It's destined to be utilised by Crown Casino high rollers, pop stars, and the world’s elite sportspeople who descend upon the city for the tennis and Formula 1 grand prix.

Act the part

Can’t afford a private jet but want the VIP element of travel? Both Heathrow and Singapore airports offer a VIP service that is open to all travellers in all classes either departing or arriving on commercial flights or private jets. The minimum cost at Heathrow is £1500 ($2710) for one to six passengers.

Frequented by diplomats, royalty and rock stars, guests bypass the main terminal (and the pesky public) and are given a personal lounge with the option of exclusive rooms for check in and security. VIP staff escort guests to their flight by limousine, where the airline staff take over.

On the other hand, if you are seriously cashed up, you could follow the lead of Saudi royal Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud and purchase your own jet outright. Not just any jet, either: an A380 that is said to house his Rolls-Royce and come complete with a concert hall, a three-storey elevator, five master bedrooms, boardroom, prayer room and more.

The price tag? A rumoured $500 million, although he is said to have now sold the plane to another gazillionaire.